LA Home Buyer Timeline: From “Just Curious” to Holding the Keys
If you're starting to wonder whether owning a home in Los Angeles is possible, first, let me say: yes, it is. It just takes clarity, planning, and the right support.
This guide walks you through what the journey actually looks like, from the moment you start thinking about buying to the day you pick up your keys.
Every buyer’s path is unique, but here’s a realistic timeline most first-time buyers follow in LA:
Phase 1: Curiosity + Information
Timeline: 3 – 12 months before buying (sometimes more, sometimes less)
This is you right now: “I’d love to buy one day. Where do I even start?”
What you do in this phase:
Get curious about the process
Start exploring neighborhoods
Research monthly payment estimates
Attend a buyer class or online webinar
Follow market updates and listings casually
Most buyers don’t wake up and suddenly buy a house. There's an education stage. And honestly, the earlier you begin learning, the smoother everything else becomes. This is a great stage to attend one of my How to Own in LA classes!
Phase 2: Financial Prep + Lending Game Plan
Timeline: 2 – 12 months before buying
This is where we turn curiosity into a plan.
You'll typically:
Meet with a first-time-buyer-friendly lender (not scary, I promise)
Review your income, savings, and credit
Get clarity on how much you can afford now vs later
Learn about down payment assistance options (yes, real programs exist)
Create a savings or credit-building strategy if needed
Even if you're not ready to buy yet, talking to a lender early gives you power. You’ll know your timeline, and you’ll know what to work toward. Most buyers tell me this moment is the switch from “someday” to “I can really do this.”
Phase 3: Neighborhood Exploration + Touring
Timeline: 1 – 6 months before buying
This phase is fun, and hugely clarifying. You’ll start touring homes in the neighborhoods you're considering. Not to buy yet, to learn. I recommend you schedule a strategy session with me to offer guidance through this stage. Walking into an open house knowing that you are represented by someone you trust, can make touring homes empowering instead of intimidating. You will learn:
What you get at different price points
What neighborhoods feel like in real life
Which features matter most to you
What “dealbreakers” really are
Many buyers end up falling in love with a neighborhood they never expected. Touring early builds intuition and confidence, and helps you spot a great opportunity when it arrives.
Phase 4: Pre-Approval + Buyer Strategy
Timeline: Right before making offers
Once you're emotionally and financially aligned, it's time to get officially pre-approved. That means gathering things like:
Pay stubs + W2s or tax returns
Bank statements
ID and employment info
You'll receive a pre-approval letter that strengthens your offer, and gives us a clear, realistic buying range. You’ll also start discussing offer strategy with me:
What contingencies look like
How to be competitive without overpaying
Ways first-time buyers win in LA all the time
This is where you go from researching to being ready to play offense.
Phase 5: Making Offers
Timeline: 2 – 8 weeks on average (sometimes sooner)
Let’s find your home! We’ll start submitting offers, and yes, some buyers get accepted on their first one, others submit a few. That's normal. Emotions here can range from excited to anxious to “um is this real?” and that’s totally normal too. You have support the whole way.
Phase 6: Escrow + Inspections
Timeline: ~30 days after offer acceptance
Once your offer is accepted (yay!!!), we enter escrow. During escrow you will:
Complete property inspections
Review disclosures
Finalize your loan with the lender
Order appraisal
Secure homeowners insurance
Sign loan + title documents
You'll feel like you're signing your name 400 times (because you are) but it ends in keys to your home. How exciting!
Phase 7: Closing + Move-In
Timeline: Close of escrow.
You loan will fund. Title will be recorded with the county. And you get the keys. 🎉 You officially own a home in Los Angeles, and that is a big deal.
I hope this short blog post offers some clarity. If you want a more “put together” look at the process. I encourage you to download my buyer’s guide so you can have PDF copy of the process and know-how.